The first time you apply hair color to your hair is always the easiest. That is, if your hair is what is called “virgin” hair – not previously color treated or chemically treated in any way and your hair is in good condition. When you mix your hair color according to the instructions and apply it for the recommended amount of time, the color you expected should develop. (This depends, of course on your correct choice of color formula.)

Let’s assume that you have achieved a color that you love. The next problem you will face is the retouch. Within a month to six weeks after you tint your hair, it will grow approximately one- half inch. This means that there will be about one-half inch of new growth showing. You may have heard this new growth referred to as roots. The hair that grows out and is not tinted is called new growth.

New growth calls for a new plan. The procedure for tinting the new growth is different from the procedure used for the original tint. You should not apply the tint all over all of your hair at this time. It must be applied only to the new growth. It will take the full amount of timing to tint the new growth because this hair has not had tint on it previously. However, the rest of your hair has been tinted. Do not apply the tint to the hair that has been previously tinted. It is already chemically processed and will be damaged by more processing.

Apply the hair color (tint) to the new growth only. Leave the tint on the hair for the full amount of processing time that is recommended on the box.

Freshening the previously tinted hair color:
You may notice that the color of the previously tinted hair has changed over the month. If the color of the previously tinted hair has faded or lightened, you may apply the tint for the last five minutes of the processing time only. After that amount of time, rinse and shampoo your hair thoroughly. Follow the shampoo with a good quality conditioner to restore a healthy shine to your hair.

Hair Color EBookLearn to do your own hair color or to make educated choices at the salon! This book contains all you need to know, from choosing a color to putting it on and avoiding problems.